Trump Holds Iran Accountable for Houthi Attacks Amid U.S. Strikes in Yemen

President Trump holds Iran responsible for Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, stating they are equipped and directed by Iran. The U.S. conducted military strikes in Yemen following these attacks, aiming to secure shipping routes vital for global trade. Analysts suggest shipping may not return to normal for several months even if hostilities cease.

President Donald J. Trump has issued a stern warning, asserting that Iran will bear the consequences for any future Houthi attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea. In a post shared on Truth Social, he expressed that Iran is orchestrating the actions of the Houthis by providing them with arms, funding, and intelligence. The president emphasized, “Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN, and IRAN will be held responsible, and suffer the consequences, and those consequences will be dire!”

These remarks followed significant U.S. military operations targeting the Iran-affiliated Houthis, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 53 individuals and injuries to nearly 100 others near the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. The Houthi forces escalated their attacks on both military and commercial shipping vessels after the outbreak of hostilities in Gaza in late 2023, disrupting transit through one of the globe’s busiest maritime routes. In early 2024, the Biden administration assembled a coalition of approximately 20 nations to secure the Red Sea, implementing retaliatory actions against the Houthis and intercepting their drones.

Following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in January, the Houthis temporarily halted their assaults on shipping. However, they announced a resurgence in attacks after Israel ceased the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The intent behind the U.S. military strikes is to reopen international shipping routes in the Red Sea, which had been jeopardized by Houthi aggression, forcing vessels to navigate longer routes that increase transit time and costs, thereby threatening global supply chains.

Analyst Jonathan Roach from Braemar ACM Shipbroking in London cautioned that even with improved conditions in the Red Sea, shipping companies are likely to remain hesitant. He stated that, “So, it’s probably going to take a good three to six months of no hostilities to container ships before they’ll actually risk it.”

In conclusion, President Trump’s declaration signifies a firm stance regarding Iranian influence over Houthi military actions targeting shipping in the Red Sea. The recent U.S. military strikes aim to alleviate threats to global maritime trade amid the conflict in Gaza. Nonetheless, the path to restoring confidence among shipping companies may take several months, highlighting the intricate challenges faced with regional instability.

Original Source: www.wesa.fm